Thus, Iverson's insistence that he'll never accept that role after this season. "I will retire before I do this again. I will leave the game before I do this," he said. "Because I can't be effective like I know I can playing this way. It's just something I've not ever been able or had to do."

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Iverson said he is not happy with the Pistons, who acquired him in a trade with the Denver Nuggets in early November. "No, not at all," he said. "I'd be lying if I said I was. But I'm trying to do everything I can to be happy other than basketball. This is just one phase of my life. This is not my whole life. I have other parts of my life, other people in my life that I am surrounded by who make me happy."

But everyone has checked out mentally, except Curry who never checked in.

Stuckey, Rip, Tay, Sheed, AI. All checked out.

I feel damn sorry for Dice.

And Walter Hermann.

I'm really disappointed in AI. I tried to stick with him, to try to keep an open mind, but a man's character is not set by how he handles being an All-Star or Scoring Champion. A man's character is determined when his back hurts and he is asked to make a sacrifice for the team. The contrast in character between AI and Dice is night and day.

I'm actually anxious for the season to end now. This leaves a bad taste in my mouth. Also, if the AI drama carries on, I will have to ban more people, and I'm tired of that

Plus, Ernie ran out of AI material that was even marginally funny about 2 weeks ago, but no one has the heart to tell him that. :P ;)

Interesting. I can see why he wouldn't want to carry on if he is not good enough to be a main player and lets be real 18 mins per game is a demotion, but he still thinks he is, so rather than saying all this stuff, he should try and show why he shouldn't be a bench player, prove your point with your play.

But everyone has checked out mentally, except Curry who never checked in.

Stuckey, Rip, Tay, Sheed, AI. All checked out.

I feel damn sorry for Dice.

And Walter Hermann.

I'm really disappointed in AI. I tried to stick with him, to try to keep an open mind, but a man's character is not set by how he handles being an All-Star or Scoring Champion. A man's character is determined when his back hurts and he is asked to make a sacrifice for the team. The contrast in character between AI and Dice is night and day.

I'm actually anxious for the season to end now. This leaves a bad taste in my mouth. Also, if the AI drama carries on, I will have to ban more people, and I'm tired of that

Plus, Ernie ran out of AI material that was even marginally funny about 2 weeks ago, but no one has the heart to tell him that. :P ;)

Oh well.

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Good post here. I've been very concerned as well. I just don't feel like talking current season anymore. I'll be sad when Dice leaves. I just wish somebody coulda seen this mess coming, and done something about it.

This whole situation has been misjudged, mishandled, and just plain screwed up from Joe to Curry to the other Pistons players and right down to Iverson himself.

I don't much care for anybody but Dice right now. It's time to clean house IMO. Start with the coach, and then dump every guy that decided to tank it when ever there was controversey this season, which would unfortunately be everyone except Antonio and the bench.

Reading Curry's comments in the papers today, it seems AI is basically going to pick up Rip's scraps rather than being the sixth man, so I guess that's why he's mad, this is different from Rip going to the bench it seems.

After AI went off in the media yesterday, and presumably some things were probably said before that privately, AI is done with this team. TBH, I can't understand why they are even running him out there at all.

It's pretty funny actually. The Pistons are no longer posting AI's post game comments on their site.

Aren't all the 'AI Will Retire' articles saying the same thing? He wants to go to a team where he can start and that will let him dribble around as much as he wants until he can find his opportunity to score, but him dribbling all over the place looking for his shot is why he isn't starting here.

It amazes me that people will say the Pistons didn't give him a chance or that the players tanked to get him sent to the bench.

Losing in the playoffs as a team can strengthen bonds. Stuckey can expereience what it's like as a starter when the other team has a full scouting report on him. Joe can see how certain guys react.

If nothing else, MC needs to experience what it's like going up against a coach and team 4 games in a row.

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I don't think it is a foregone conclusion that they'll get swept in the playoffs. (It feels like DET has lost 40 games in a row - how far behind were these other teams?)

I feel there is an unbelievable run of bad luck mixed in with the poor play and if they could get most of their players on the court they'll be OK. They played the best team in the L on the road in their disjointed state with most of the players having bad games and had a chance to win.

I don't think it is a foregone conclusion that they'll get swept in the playoffs. (It feels like DET has lost 40 games in a row - how far behind were these other teams?)

I feel there is an unbelievable run of bad luck mixed in with the poor play and if they could get most of their players on the court they'll be OK. They played the best team in the L on the road in their disjointed state with most of the players having bad games and had a chance to win.

After AI went off in the media yesterday, and presumably some things were probably said before that privately, AI is done with this team. TBH, I can't understand why they are even running him out there at all.

It's pretty funny actually. The Pistons are no longer posting AI's post game comments on their site.

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Me neither. He doesn't want to be here and team morale is at an all time low. It's just a bad situation from every angle.